Aston Villa

Off topic, but if Tom Hanks is going to talk football then I'm going to mention it.

Hanks is a Villa fan, in much the same way that Prince William and David Cameron are Villa fans, and he has spoken out after their relegation.

This is the sort of booming rhetoric Villa could have done with from their owner. Manager. Captain.

I've often wondered if anyone at Villa Park has asked Hanks, Cameron and Windsor if they have any plans to form a consortium...

Alex has got this nailed...

There is one game in the Championship tonight, but the outcome will not have any major impact on the situation in the division. Hull, who are already assured a play-off spot, host Brentford, who are safely positioned in mid-table.

There is more significance to the sole game in League One. If fourth-placed Walsall fail to win at home against Shrewsbury then leaders Wigan will be promoted. The Shrews could do with a victory themselves, with four points separating themselves and the bottom four.

There is a clash between two sides currently in the play-off places in League Two as seventh-placed Wimbledon host sixth-placed Portsmouth. A win would seal a play-off spot for either side.

Robbie Savage
Ex-Wales midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"No Cristiano Ronaldo, what a massive boost for Manchester City, they will all be talking about it in the dressing room but they have to be focused. 

"Going forward, Real are fantastic but defensively, they will give you so many chances. With Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero in the side, what an opportunity to win the tie. They will get six or seven chances.

"City will need goals, if they can get two goals ahead, they have a good chance of progressing to the final."

How fit is Vincent Kompany? Is he a risk tonight? Or do you simply have to play the Belgian at the back? 

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Interesting to see Nicolas Otamendi get the nod over the much-improved Eliaquim Managala as Vincent Kompany’s partner at centre-half but, apart from the return of their skipper, it is significant that Manuel Pellegrini has gone with the same team he picked in both legs of their quarter-final win over Paris St-Germain.

City's clean sheet in the 1-0 win at Etihad Stadium that sent them through 3-2 on aggregate was rightly seen as one of their most mature Champions League displays to date. Pellegrini will hope his side achieve the same balance between attack and defence they did that night.

In the history of back-handed compliments, Gareth Bale saying Zinedine Zidane knows "the way to play football" might be right at the top of the tree...

Image source, Reuters

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale says the team are "thriving" under manager Zinedine Zidane.

The Welshman said club legend Zidane knows "the way to play football" and allows Madrid to express themselves.

Zidane took over from Rafael Benitez in January, with Madrid aiming to be European champions for the 11th time.

The Frenchman described tonight's match at Etihad Stadium as a "50/50 game".

Zidane, who says Bale's recent form has been "phenomenal", added City were a "great side".

Did you know that Cristiano Ronaldo scored his last Premier League goal against Manchester City?

You do now. Find out more in this magic little video.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

The Etihad Stadium is ready for Manchester City's first Champions League semi-final... and Real Madrid's 27th.

Real, 10-time winners, have been at this stage of the Champions League or European Cup more than any other team and, when you count every European competition, beat City 32-3 when it comes to making the last-four.

It is 45 years since City's last Euro semi, when their defence of the now defunct European Cup Winners' Cup was ended by Chelsea, who beat Real in the final.

So, in terms of pedigree at this level it is no contest - but let's see how they get on where it matters - on the pitch.

If you've only just joined us, you've missed some MASSIVE team news. Cristiano Ronaldo - Madrid talisman, [arguably] the world's second best player, goalscorer supreme - is out.

The thigh injury he picked up last week even stops him being named on the away bench. He is replaced in the starting XI by Lucas Vazquez, a 24-year-old winger who came through the Bernabeu ranks before a brief spell at Espanyol. 

Better news for Zinedine Zidane is that French striker Karim Benzema has shaken off a knock. Skipper Sergio Ramos and creative midfielder Luka Modric both return after being rested for the weekend win at Rayo Vallecano.

Image source, Opta

Image source, reu

He just does not miss big games. A new experience for Cristiano tonight...

Six of Manchester City’s last nine shots on target in the Champions League have found the back of the net.

Manchester City have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes than any other team in the Champions League this season (seven).

It's funny because it is [so often] true.

Gareth Bale was outstanding for Real at the weekend as he played without Cristiano Ronaldo. Same again?

Danny Murphy
Former England and Liverpool midfielder

"Kevin de Bruyne is better in the number 10 role. Because of how good De Bruyne's end product is, Manuel Pellegrini will want him on the ball as much as possible.

"There are times when you can be nullified centrally if a team packs out their midfield and the only space is wide but, more often than not, you get more touches of the ball in the centre and that will mean De Bruyne can create more.

"Playing there he is also likely to have more chances to score himself too.

"The £55m Belgian scored crucial goals in both legs of the quarter-final and the onus will be on him and Sergio Aguero to provide the main goal threat again."

Read more from Danny here

Image source, PA

BBC Radio 5 Live

Tonight's first leg from the Etihad is also getting the full 5 live treatment. From 19:00 BST, Mark Chapman presents build-up to Manchester City v Real Madrid before handing over to commentators John Murray and Alan Green, along with summariser Robbie Savage, for the match at 19:45.

From 22:00 to 22:30 5 live football social will be taking your calls about the game.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

I bumped into Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini outside the Etihad earlier - I know he needs a new job soon, but I didn't expect him to be selling copies of the Manchester Evening News tonight.

Pellegrini knows, of course, that he is leaving City at the end of the season even if he wins the Champions League but tonight is a chance for him to prove a point to his former employers as well as his current club.

The 62-year-old spent a single season in charge of Real in 2009-10, when he broke the club's points record in La Liga but finished second behind Barcelona and got the chop.

So I don't think even the famously-reserved Chilean would be able to mask his delight if he gets past Real and into his first Champions League final. For that to happen, City surely need to take a lead to the Bernabeu for next week's second leg.